Page 5 of Catching the Captain

“Yeah, the problem is, I can’t even find an agency that’s looking for help at all. I’ll gladly answer the phone and book appointments every day if I can get my foot in the door.”

“Hang in there. I’m sure an opportunity will come soon.”

“Yeah, I’m going to think positively. I keep reminding myself whatever I find will be worth the wait.”

“That’s a great attitude to have.”

“You’ve had quite a bit of success with hockey. Congratulations. All your dreams came true.”

Not all of them. I always imagined I’d be married with a kid or two by now.

“Thanks. It’s been a wild ride.”

“I bet. You’re going through two more lights and then take the first right,” she instructs.

“Okay.” I can see the turn she mentioned from here. “Do you live alone?”

“No, I have a roommate, Serena. She and I have been friends since freshman year of high school.”

We pass through the first light. “How are your parents doing?” I ask.

“My dad is great and my mom is the same as she’s always been.”

“What do you mean?” I ask, not sure what she’s referring to.

“I’m the baby of the family and incapable of doing anything correctly on my own. At least in my mom’s eyes.”

“It must be difficult for them now that you’re not living at home any longer.” The second light is green and we pass right through. Slowing down, I make the turn onto her street.

“I live in the third townhouse, the brick one.”

“This is nice,” I say, pulling into the driveway behind an older model Subaru Forester.

“Thanks. Even though it’s right off the main road, it’s pretty quiet here.”

Shutting down my truck, I pocket my keys on the way to the passenger side. Rori already has the door open, so I step in to assist her. She inhales a quick breath when her right knee absorbs her weight.

“You okay?”

“Yeah, I’ll live. It just stung for a second.”

“Once you’re all cleaned up and bandaged, you’ll feel better.” I hold my arm out and she waves it away with her hand.

“I can do this,” she says, lifting her chin.

I like her determination to handle it on her own.

Pulling a string with a dangling key from inside her tank top, she draws it over her head and unlocks the door. Pausing with her hand on the knob, she peers over her shoulder at me. “You know you don’t have to come in with me. I’m okay.”

She thinks my motivation is purely selfless, when it’s not. I do want to make sure she’s okay, but I’m not ready to part ways yet. We’ve barely had time to catch up, and I’m fascinated by this adult version of Rori.

“If you don’t mind, I’d feel better if I did.”

Her lips briefly pull upward at the corners into a semblance of a smile. “Suit yourself.” She opens the door and I follow her inside.

“Just so you’re aware, I wasn’t going to take no for an answer. I was ready to throw you over my shoulder if I had to.”

She rolls her eyes. “Okay, Tarzan. Would you like a drink? Serena made a pitcher of iced tea earlier.”

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